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Officials identify suspects arrested following standoff, fire in Henderson County

This is a developing story and CBS19 will update this article as more information becomes available

HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas — Two people are in custody following a Monday night standoff and fire in Henderson County. 

According to Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse, around 6 p.m., Eustace police were patrolling when they attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. The male driver sped off, with a female passenger in the vehicle, and ended up in the Cedar Creek Cove area.

Around 7:20 p.m., Hillhouse says the man, identified as Mike Downey, and woman, identified as Kristin Odell, got out of the vehicle and ran off and officials determined they were headed toward a residence on Eskota St. Downey then displayed what appeared to be a long rifle, went into a camper and said he had a hostage.

"Negotiators did make contact with him several times throughout the night," Hillhouse said. "And at one point he did say he was going to give up, but while the negotiators were speaking to him, they could hear a female in the residence who did not seem to be disturbed, or in any panic type situation, or anything like that. It was later gathered that she was the female that exited the vehicle with him."

Hillhouse tells CBS19 while negotiators were trying to talk with Downey, they saw a fire break out inside the camper. They then saw Odell go out the roof of the travel trailer. She was then taken into custody without further incident.

According to Hillhouse, Downey followed but would not come down off the roof of the camper, and even attempted to go back into the burning trailer. 

"We actually did deploy a 40 mm less-lethal round twice," Hillhouse said. "It did strike him, but it was unsuccessful. He still wouldn't give up, so I had to tactical members go on to the roof with the less-lethal taser, and they tased him. [We were] able to get him handcuffed, and then got him down and now he is in custody."

Odell was arrested for and outstanding warrant, evading arrest with a motor vehicle and evading arrest. 

Downey was jailed for an outstanding parole violation, evading arrest in a motor vehicle and evading arrest. Additional charges are pending.

This is a developing story and CBS19 will update this article as more information becomes available

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